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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 01-12 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION JANUARY 12, 2015 CITY HALL—COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 10:28 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners April Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Police Chief Kevin Benner, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building & Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. CONSIDERATION OF HEARING FOR TOBACCO RELATED PRODUCTS LICENSE FOR ABDOU JAITEH—continued Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski referenced the last paragraph of Attorney LeFevere's memorandum and stated support for the second option as follows: "The second option is for the City Council/EDA to conclude that it is not interested in pursuing consideration of a denial solely on the basis of a conviction of the owner and a conviction of an employee over the past two years. This would be consistent with past practices in the case of both liquor and tobacco violations of law by sale to minors where the City Council/EDA has considered or imposed other sanctions such as criminal prosecution and civil penalties without revoking an existing license, or denying a renewal or new application." The consensus of the City Council/EDA supported the second option as reflected above. City Manager Curt Boganey stated staff will then not interpret the ordinance to read that an individual that meets one of the seven elements is automatically denied. Thus, staff will draft amendments to clarify the language and the two current applications will be placed on a future agenda for consideration of license approval. City Attorney Charlie LeFevere stated the criminal process is over and the ordinance calls for civil sanctions, which will be pursued. POLICE—COMMUNITY RELATIONS Mr. Boganey introduced the topic and requested City Council/EDA direction regarding the 01/12/15 -1- outcomes expected from a process to engage the public about police-community relationships. He stated it would be helpful for staff and Police Chief Benner to receive City Council/EDA direction as to the outcome desired because once determined, staff can develop an action plan and alternatives to achieve the City Council's desired outcomes. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated her appreciation to staff for the information provided and offered the following: to inform; to listen, and ultimately to gain understanding. She stated the intent is mostly to `open the door' to dialogue. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated she thinks the Brooklyn Youth Council is also having difficulty discussing these issues amongst themselves and while no one has called her with concerns, she is aware of conversations among African American men who feel they do not have a voice. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski suggested crafting something with give and take, such as a candidate forum to open that dialogue. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he appreciates those thoughts. He stated that if the City Council/EDA determines to have a public dialogue on police community relations, we should first have an educational presentation where a spokesman for the Brooklyn Center Police Department could explain how they work and how their philosophy of community policing guides their work. That could facilitate such a dialogue, but the best forum where that could occur would be at a meeting hosted by the JCPP/MAC. In that way, residents can hear of the Police Department's efforts from those in their communities. Councilmember/ Commissioner Ryan felt it was absolutely essential for the City's Police Officers to embody the City Council's/EDA's values and be committed to serve those they are paid to serve. Mayor/President Willson stated he would not oppose an information piece, noting the target group would have to be identified. He stated he believes the City's Police Department is doing well; however, the perception by individuals of color is that they are being discriminated against. He described his need to defend against the erroneous impression that they are being treated differently only because of their race, color, and/or creed because he does not see that in practice in Brooklyn Center. Mayor/President Willson stated if there is something positive the City can do, he would support it, but is unsure of the population segment to which they would provide that information. He asked if a series of different informational pieces should be considered for different ethnic groups within Brooklyn Center. He stated the information on inclusion and diversity could also be brought forward as well as soliciting those who are interested in serving in that capacity. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated when Police Chief Benner spoke at the orientation, she found him to be honest and sincere. She suggested providing information to the community about the Brooklyn Center Police Department to build trust. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves noted it is also good to have people who `look like you' to be the ones giving that information, resulting in word of mouth more than an invitation from City Hall. She suggested an informational session to give out statistics, stopping rates and what those people look like, types of violations, and to use a community cafd-style format that gives an opportunity to complain to one another and build affirming relationships. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves felt that would be a good place to start as well as a tour of the Police Department, and to address the ratio of color on the Brooklyn Center Police Department. 01/12/15 -2- Mayor/President Willson indicated he does not support hiring by a set ratio but supports hiring the best officers making application and to better reflect the diversity of the City. He commented on the cadet program that has attracted others but his trepidation is that an informational forum could devolve into a complaint session. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she understands that situation but if you grew up in North Minneapolis, you would find arrests and stops are different, and that location is only ten minutes from Brooklyn Center. She stated she has family members and others who are not comfortable coming to Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park and even though she has never been arrested, she is not comfortable with having a Police car pull up into her driveway to drop off City Council packets. Mayor/President Willson stated the City has put a high priority on inclusion and bringing in people of color. The City has a good relationship with the Liberian community and faith-based community and the City Council/EDA has worked very hard to change the City's image. He indicated he also had trepidation if the press is at the forum and the event becomes something it is really not. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated as long as someone is not telling them how they should feel about it, it will be appreciated. She suggested the forum be led by someone from the community who represents the audience. Mr. Boganey asked who the audience is that the City Council/EDA wants to reach. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated it would be anyone who wants to come. Mr. Boganey asked what the issue is to be addressed. Councilmember/Commissioner Myszkowski stated Police Chief Benner could talk about how `Ferguson' could not happen in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Boganey stated the issue may be why Brooklyn Center is not and will not become Ferguson. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated Minnesota is considered to be the worst place to raise African American males, perhaps because of `Minnesota Nice.' She felt it was not an aversion to deal with the issues but rather that no one wants to get enmeshed in the issues or be challenged to meet the issues. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she supports inclusion and open government and thinks education is important to work with the Police Department. She supported inviting those participants who are already active in the community, such as the Youth Council, but worries that the City could lose control of the situation and the forum could turn out more negative than the intent because currently tension is high. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson felt that an open forum is not the right way to go at this time. The City Council/EDA acknowledged there is currently not a consensus relating to this item. 01/12/15 -3- Police Chief Kevin Benner described his work and that of the Police Department to improve public relations and the opportunity to work with the Area Minister's Association, which represents a `wide net' of 26 churches, as well as the Joint Community Police Partnership Multi Cultural Advisory Committee that was created for this purpose. Police Chief Benner stated he will do a better job of informing the City Council/EDA of those activities in upcoming reports. The consensus of the City Council/EDA was to continue this conversation at a future date. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence- Anderson seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 11:10 p.m. Motionassed unanimously. p Y 01/12/15 4- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on January 12, 2015. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its January 26, 2015, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 01/12/15 -5-